My Flyertalk.com Luggage Tag Experiences
Jul 7, 2002 | 3:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 467
My Flyertalk.com Luggage Tag Experiences
I have no idea if this post is in the right board but I just wanted to share with you some interesting experiences with my Flyertalk.com Luggage Tags.
The reason I spent the three dollars or so for the tags was to make myself visable to other travelers that may be a member of the Flyertalk.com community when traveling never did I think the following would happen.
During my trip in May to Hawaii I had to check bags in as I would be away for two weeks. They had the tags on them. When my bags arrived to HNL and EWR they were the FIRST ones off the plane. I was very happy and pleased and just figured it was good luck, however an expereince this past weekend has me wondering.
On July 3rd I flew a UsAirways Express ERJ from LGA to BUF to be with family for the holiday. As it is with regional jets I decided to check my bag planeside. I had a a tag on it. As I was sitting on the 'A' side of the airplane I noticed the baggage handler when she went to tag my bag she was a little confused. She called over another bag handler, said something to him, and he looked even more confused. They then went on to put my bag in the cargo hold.
When we arrived into Buffalo I noticed a gentleman standing planeside with my bag in his hand. It was loud on the tarmac and I asked him for my bag. He said would you please follow me. I was wondering what in the world is going on. He took me inside to a quiter area he then said, "My name is John (I forget his last name) I am the ramp manager here at Buffalo for Usairways. At LGA when they saw this tag [the flyertalk.com one] and they noticed it was Priority and Yellow they were not sure what to do with it so they called ahead to inquire about it. I am also curious what does this tag mean and I was just wondering what type of priority you are suppose to get with it [If you have not seen it the Flyertalk.com tag is Yellow and on the bottom is says Priority.]?" This gentleman was not sarcastic and he really seemed he wanted to know about it meant. I was very surprised by this question and his curiosity. I told him about Flyertalk.com and that I really got this tag to meet other members of the community, but I also stated that the members of the board do an awful lot of traveling and put big bucks into the airlines. I said that if you see this tag on another bag, it would probably be another members' tag and the member would really appreciate it if you can handle the bag with care as they travel quite a bit and would love to have their bags handled with priority. He said he would note this, and that he appreciated my help and to enjoy my day.
I was quite surprised by this. Like I said I got the tags to meet other members of the community. But I guess this little perk was nice as well.
[This message has been edited by I LOVE EWR (edited 07-07-2002).]
[This message has been edited by I LOVE EWR (edited 07-08-2002).]
The reason I spent the three dollars or so for the tags was to make myself visable to other travelers that may be a member of the Flyertalk.com community when traveling never did I think the following would happen.
During my trip in May to Hawaii I had to check bags in as I would be away for two weeks. They had the tags on them. When my bags arrived to HNL and EWR they were the FIRST ones off the plane. I was very happy and pleased and just figured it was good luck, however an expereince this past weekend has me wondering.
On July 3rd I flew a UsAirways Express ERJ from LGA to BUF to be with family for the holiday. As it is with regional jets I decided to check my bag planeside. I had a a tag on it. As I was sitting on the 'A' side of the airplane I noticed the baggage handler when she went to tag my bag she was a little confused. She called over another bag handler, said something to him, and he looked even more confused. They then went on to put my bag in the cargo hold.
When we arrived into Buffalo I noticed a gentleman standing planeside with my bag in his hand. It was loud on the tarmac and I asked him for my bag. He said would you please follow me. I was wondering what in the world is going on. He took me inside to a quiter area he then said, "My name is John (I forget his last name) I am the ramp manager here at Buffalo for Usairways. At LGA when they saw this tag [the flyertalk.com one] and they noticed it was Priority and Yellow they were not sure what to do with it so they called ahead to inquire about it. I am also curious what does this tag mean and I was just wondering what type of priority you are suppose to get with it [If you have not seen it the Flyertalk.com tag is Yellow and on the bottom is says Priority.]?" This gentleman was not sarcastic and he really seemed he wanted to know about it meant. I was very surprised by this question and his curiosity. I told him about Flyertalk.com and that I really got this tag to meet other members of the community, but I also stated that the members of the board do an awful lot of traveling and put big bucks into the airlines. I said that if you see this tag on another bag, it would probably be another members' tag and the member would really appreciate it if you can handle the bag with care as they travel quite a bit and would love to have their bags handled with priority. He said he would note this, and that he appreciated my help and to enjoy my day.
I was quite surprised by this. Like I said I got the tags to meet other members of the community. But I guess this little perk was nice as well.
[This message has been edited by I LOVE EWR (edited 07-07-2002).]
[This message has been edited by I LOVE EWR (edited 07-08-2002).]
Jul 7, 2002 | 6:59 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Well they sure are BRIGHT flouro, and you can see them a long way off. I remember needing to hook up with MrLimo with some LAX folks that collected us at Hotel, and we had never met him. He said 'I'll have the FlyerTalk tag on my camera case' - worked like a charm in a busy place. Same with some Ft'ers we met in Janaury in Rio, Brazil. Same deal, and it worked well.
Joh and I both have them on our checked bags. A month ago in AMS Centraal Railway station I went to get train tickets to Schiphol. Joh stood and minded the 2 suitcases out of the way. Place was a madhouse in rush hour. Despite this a FT'er gottigotti saw the tags and stopped and introduced himself to Joh. I was not sure of his name until he posted below a few days later.
It is indeed a small world. And the tags are well worth buying.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum28/HTML/000741.html
Joh and I both have them on our checked bags. A month ago in AMS Centraal Railway station I went to get train tickets to Schiphol. Joh stood and minded the 2 suitcases out of the way. Place was a madhouse in rush hour. Despite this a FT'er gottigotti saw the tags and stopped and introduced himself to Joh. I was not sure of his name until he posted below a few days later.
It is indeed a small world. And the tags are well worth buying.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum28/HTML/000741.html
Jul 7, 2002 | 11:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: PHL, PA, USA
Posts: 839
I have been meaning to buy the luggage tags for a while. I will place the order today! It is worth it to get them out on a priority basis even once! Plus it would not hurt to identift myself to a fellow FT'er at the airport.
[This message has been edited by MSP2000 (edited 07-07-2002).]
[This message has been edited by MSP2000 (edited 07-07-2002).]
Jul 8, 2002 | 6:21 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 4,330
My tag was stolen/removed on my last trip through EWR two weeks ago. I think some pesky baggage handlers were taking out there aggression on passenger luggage. My FT tag was gone from one bag and my luggage lock was missing from my other bag.
I guess I will have to order some more. The tags are an easy way to spot people when you don't know who you are meeting. I have had a few random meetings in the President's Club due to my bright yellow FT tag on my bag.
I guess I will have to order some more. The tags are an easy way to spot people when you don't know who you are meeting. I have had a few random meetings in the President's Club due to my bright yellow FT tag on my bag.
Jul 8, 2002 | 7:59 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Bethesda, MD USA
Posts: 2,802
Want some attention? Try using a big orange crew tag when you are not. I got some luggage for free from one of my friends who didn't like the bag she bought. So she gave it to me and told me if I didn't like it, sell it on E-bay and split the money with her.
Anyway, I decided I liked it and went on the road with it. Then I went to the x-ray machine, went to hoist it up, and saw that bright orange tag.
I got rid of that thing very quickly. In these days, the last thing I want to do is explain to guys with guns why I have a crew tag.
Anyway, I decided I liked it and went on the road with it. Then I went to the x-ray machine, went to hoist it up, and saw that bright orange tag.
I got rid of that thing very quickly. In these days, the last thing I want to do is explain to guys with guns why I have a crew tag.
Jul 9, 2002 | 1:56 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, DL, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, GHA
Posts: 7,585
The ZRH baggage crew seems to be really impressed by my bright yellow FT tags: they usually are among the first out on the belt, even when I'm flying LH Y, where I have no status at all.
This also worked in HKG. Alas, I've never actually met somebody through the tags yet...
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.
This also worked in HKG. Alas, I've never actually met somebody through the tags yet...
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airOli, the Swiss Air Line.
Jul 9, 2002 | 2:46 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
Programs: BD / BA / AF
Posts: 4,388
I've used the tags numerous times when I've arranged meetings with other Flyertalkers who I hadn't met before. They're great identifiers for picking out FTers at a great distance in a crowded bar/pub.
Only one 'chance' encounter, though, with wharvey as we crossed paths waiting for a UAX flight at IAD.
Only one 'chance' encounter, though, with wharvey as we crossed paths waiting for a UAX flight at IAD.
Jul 9, 2002 | 8:01 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2000
Posts: 244
hmm, I have the tags on 3 bags that I travel with and my briefcase.
Get some strange looks and no chance encounters yet but also have not gotten the checked bags off first or even early but that was at EWR, ORD and LHR. Usually no checked luggage so this is anecdotal at best.
But for the low cost and the pretty yellow tags I am happy to have them.
Get some strange looks and no chance encounters yet but also have not gotten the checked bags off first or even early but that was at EWR, ORD and LHR. Usually no checked luggage so this is anecdotal at best.
But for the low cost and the pretty yellow tags I am happy to have them.
Jul 9, 2002 | 9:31 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
And at least THESE tags do last. Ours have done 150,000+ miles and are still there. The previous FT types were a disaster and lasted about 3 flights per tag before they disintegrated. 
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~ Glen ~
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~ Glen ~